Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along is due to open Feb. 25 at the West Coast Ensemble in Los Angeles for a run through June 11.

The musical is directed by Jules Aaron with musical direction by Darryl Archibald and Brian Murphy and musical staging by Larry Sousa. The cast includes Paul Cady, Calerie Doran, Steven Einspahr, Jennie Fahn, Michael Henry, Richard Israel, David Kaufman, Kyle Kulish, Anthony Meindi, Lisa Picotte, Jon Powell, Beth Robbins, Jan Sheldrick and Melanie Wingert.

Based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, Merrily has music and lyrics by Sondheim, and a book by George Furth.

It follows the fortunes of three best friends, a composer, a lyricist and a writer, as they seek fame and fortune over the years. Among the popular songs Sondheim wrote for the show are "Growing Up," "Not a Day Goes By" and "Merrily We Roll Along."

The show is produced by WCE in association with Carole Black, whose previous credits include Sondheim's Marry Me a Little. West Coast Ensemble is located at 522 N. LaBrea Ave. For tickets and information call (323) 525-0022 or visit www.wcensemble.org -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent